Adulthood

Physical Changes Young adults are at their physical peak between the ages of 18-30. The process of physical decline is slow and gradual. In middle age appearance changes. Gray hair, wrinkles, loss of weight and height. The senses also change over time. In their 40’s most people begin having difficulty seeing distant objects and hearing loss.

Health Problems Good health reflects a life of making good choices, which involve exercise, diet and lifestyle. The most common cause of death in later adulthood are heart disease, cancer, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Menopause Occurs during the ages of 45-50 during a stage called climacteric. Climacteric represents all of the psychological and biological changes occurring at this time. Menopause is the sharp drop in production of sex hormones. Women stop ovulating and menstruating and can no longer conceive children This does not cause a decrease in a woman’s sex drive Men do not go through changes this drastic

Marriage and Divorce 90% of adults marry at some point. 40-60% of those marriages will end in divorce What makes a marriage last? Research suggests that success or failure depends on 2 factors: How couples handle conflict How often couple share intimate and happy moments Happily married couples argue as much as unhappy couples…the key is to argue constructively.

Sexual Behavior Studies have shown that sexual activity does not automatically decline with age. William and Virginia Masters state that there is no physiological reason for stopping sexual activity. Most older people maintain active sex lives. Those who don’t cite boredom, poor physical condition, disease or acceptance of the stereotype. t

Cognitive Change Psychologists once believed that people reached their intellectual peak in their mid 20’s. Further investigation of intelligence tests found this to be inaccurate. People continue to acquire information as they grow older. The ability to acquire information and to think flexibly improves with age and experience. This is especially true if a person has had higher education and works in a intellectually demanding field.

Social and Personality Development Levinson’s Theory of Male Development Entering the adult world From age 22-28 the young man is considered a novice in the adult world. They must resolve the conflict between the need to explore the adult world and establish a stable life structure.

The age-thirty crisis Ages between 28-30 are often a major transitional period. Tentative commitments are reexamined. Questions about the choice of marriage partner, career and life goals are reopened. The man feels that if changes need to be made they must be made soon because it may be too late .

Settling Down The questioning and searching that is part of the age-thirty crisis begin to be resolved After making these firm choices the man begins to carve out his niche in society …”making it” in the adult world. Near the end of this stage, age 36-40, it is now time to “become one’s own man”. Become fully independent and attain the position in the world that he identified as his ultimate goal at the beginning of the settling down phase.

The Middle Transition At age 40, the period of young adulthood comes to an end and the midlife transition begins From age 40-45 the man begins to ask questions…”What have I done with my life?”, “What do I have left to accomplish?” Often successful midlife transition involves the man becoming a mentor According to Erik Erikson this is known as generativity. The desire to use one’s own wisdom to guide future generations. The opposite, stagnation, can also occur. This is a discontinuation of development and a desire to recapture the past, perhaps by taking part in the same sports or hobbies

Middle adulthood The late 40’s is when true adulthood can be achieved. The man who finds satisfactory solutions to his life’s crises reaches a period of stability. For the man who is not as fortunate, this period can be a time of extreme frustration and unhappiness. The individual may feel cut off from family and friends and feel like the future holds no promise.

Female Development While many men face a crisis in midlife many women find greater personal freedom. Reentering the workforce, returning to school or starting a new career can all mean opportunity.

The “empty nest” syndrome The departure from home of the last child is a significant event in women’s lives. Contrary to popular belief this is not traumatic. Both spouses reconnect and spend more time together pursuing their own goals Father’s are actually more likely to experience children’s departure negatively.

Depression in Midlife Most common among middle aged women. Some women begin to experience a sense of loss and worthlessness. The onset of menopause can cause depression. Other women can welcome this time in life. Some women find a new sense of self-esteem in the work environment or that the nature of marriage changes when they no longer have to focus their attention on their children.